Lowering device for coffins.



H. H. & E. B. RARDON. LOWERING DEVICE PoR GoFPINs.

APLIOATION FILED MAB. 27, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented J an. 20,

CoLUMBM PLANOGRAPH Co.. WASHINGTDN. D. c.

H. H. @L E. B. RARDON. LOWBRING DEVICE FOR COFFINS. APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 27, 1913. 1,084,96 1 Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N D w E UNITED STATES PATENT OFFFCE.

HENRY H. RARDON, OF HUNTINGTON, AND ELT/IER B. RARDON, 0F PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA.

LOWERING- DEVICE FOR COFFINS.

Application filed March 27, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HENRY H. RARDON and ELMEP. B. RARDON, citizens yof the United States, residing at Huntington, .in the county of Cabell and State of West- Virginia, and Parkersburg, in .the county of lVood and State of lVest Virginia, respectively, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lowering Devices for 'Coftins, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to lowering devices, and more particularly to the class of devices for lowering coiiins in graves.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the cotlin can be readily lowered in a grave in an even and uniform manner without requiring more than a single operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which can be readily adjusted to lower different sized cofiins into a grave, and also capable of being folded in compact form when not in use, whereby it can be stored in the least possible space or brought into compact form for the easy handling thereof for its transportation from one point to another.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, strong, durable, and inexpensive in manufacture. y

`With these and other objects in view, the invent-ion consists in the construction, coinbination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

Tn the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the -device constructed in accordance with the invention, and in position for use. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is asectional view on the line 4 4; of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through `one side of the device. Fig. 7 is -a sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 2Q, 1914.

Serial No. 757,198.

Referring to the drawings by numerals the device comprises a frame A which is preferably lof rectangular shape, although the same may be made in any vother shape desired, and is formed from metal, yet other material may be substituted if deemed expedient.

The frame includes spaced tubular side sections 5 and 6 respectively, and tubular end sections 7 and 8 respectively, the sections -6 being adjustably telescoped in the sections 5 of the sides and likewise the sec-- tions 8 .telescope within the sections 7 of the ends of said frame, whereby the latter can be varied in size. Suitably secured to the section 7 at one end of the frame is a spring catch 9 which is adapted to engage in one of a series of openings 1() formed in the section rv8 'of the .said end so that these sections 7 and 8 can be locked in adjusted relation to each other, while the opposite sections '7 and 8 at the other end of the frame are formed with internal bearings 11 in which is journaled a driving shaft comprising two parts 12 4and 13 respectively, the part 12 being telescoped :in the part 18 and is 'keyed thereto for longitudinal adjust-ment and also to .assure the turning `of the parts in unison on the rotation of the shaft.

The sections 7 of the end of the frame are joined to the sections 5 and 6 at one side of the frame by mean-s of hinges 14 whereby the said ends can be folded inwardly in parallel relation -to the said sections 5 and 6 when the device lis not in use. These seutions 5 and 6 carry at their 4outer ends spring catches 15 which are adapted .to engage with Ythe sections 7 of the ends to lock the same vwhen swung outwardly at right angles thereto, while the remaining sections 5 and 16 at the other side of the frame are provided with stationary elbows 16 in which are telescoped the outer ends of the sections 8 of the lends of the frame, and carried by these elloows are spring` latches 17 which lock into the sections 8 for the detachable fastening thereof.

The sections 5 and 6 of the sides Vof the frame are formed at their inner sides with alining slots 18, while mounted interio-rly of the said section are driven shafts, each including two parts, 19 and 2O respectively, the latter part being telescoped into the part 19 and Vis suitably keyed thereto for longitudinal adjustment therein, and also to assure the turning of the two parts in unison on the rotation of the driven shafts. Surrounding the driven shafts at intervals are winding and unwinding spools 21, the latter being suitably keyed to the said shafts for longitudinal adjustment thereon, and fixed to the said spools are flexible suspension straps 22 which are adapted to be wound on and unwound from the said spools when the driven shafts are rotated,the straps 22 being passed through the slots 13 in the sections 5 and 6 at the sides of the frame, and their outer ends carry automatic hooks 23 and 23 respectively, for engagement with each other when the straps are under ten* sion, so as to permit a coffin to be placed thereon and held so that when the straps are unwound from the spools the said coffin can be lowered into a grave in a manner presently described.

rlhe adjacent ends of the driving and driven shafts have fixed thereto meshing gears 2l so that on rotating the driving shaft similar movement will be imparted to the driven shafts for the unwinding of the straps 22 from the spools or the winding of the said straps thereon.

Loosely surrounding the sections 5 and 6 of the frame are adjusting collars or sleeves 25, each being formed with a pair of bearings 26 which project through the slots 18 in the said sections and embrace the driven shafts so as to form bearings therefor, and these hearings are disposed on opposite sides of each spool 21 so that when the collars or sleeves 25 are shifted longitudinally on the sections 5 and G the spools will be simultaneously shifted therewith for varying the distance of the straps 22 apart from each other. Each sleeve or collar 25 is formed with a slot 2T through which is passed each strap for the guiding of the same when wound on or unwound from its respective spool, the straps being fastened to the said spools in any suitable manner.

Mounted in one of the stationary elbows 1G and meshing with the gears 24 on one of the driven shafts `is an operating gear 28 provided with a key socket 29 adapted to receive a turning key for rotating the same whereby the driving and driven shafts will simultaneously rotate for the winding of the straps on or the unwinding of the same from the spools.

The shaft 13 has surrounding it a tension collar 30 in which is mounted a tension screw 31 which acts upon thc collar so as to regulate the same for action upon the said shaft 13 so as to control the speed of rotation thereof.

In the operation of the device the hooks 23 and 23 are engaged with each other and by the tension of the straps a coffin can be placed upon the same, the frame being supported in any suitable manner above a grave, and by engaging' the member 32 in the socket 29 with the gear 23 the said gear will be rotated for imparting simultaneous movement to the driving and driven shafts, causing the latter to turn in a. direction for the unwinding of the straps 22 from the spools 21 and thereby lowering the coiiin into the grave. When the coffin has been lowered on to the bottom of the grave the lugs 33 and 34: respectively, on the hooks will Contact with the bottom of the grave, thereby causing'the said hooks to unlock or disengage from each other, thus releasing the coflin so that it may rest upon the bottom of the grave. Now, on reversing the rotation of the driven shafts, the said straps can be rewound upon the spools and thereafter the device folded for transportation.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of operation of the device will be clearly understood, and therefore a more extended explanation has been v omitted.

7 hat is claimed is A device of the class described comprising a sectional extensible frame, the sections on opposite sides o-f the frame being provided with slots, longitudinally disposed and coeXtensive therewith, rotatable driven elements journaled interiorly of the sections and connected with each other, spool holders slidablc on the elements and engaged in the slots, spools slidably mounted on the elements for rotation therewith and engaged in the holders, straps trained through the slots in the sections and connected with the spools for the winding of the same on and the uuwinding thereof from the spools, and collars loosely surrounding the slotted sections of the frame for shifting movement thereon and having slots alining with the firstnamed slots for receiving the straps to shift the same together with the spools and holders therewith.

In testimony whereof, we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses:

HENRY H. RARDGN. ELMER B. KARDON.

Witnesses as to the signature of Henry H. Rardon:

EDWARD E. RARDoN, THOMAS H. CUMrs'rnn.

Witnesses as to the signature of Elmer B. Rardon:

RownNA RARDON, E. E. RAnDoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommssioner of IPatents, Washington, D. C. 

